Thought this was interesting..
John
shoptalk
PHOENIX (December 19, 2011) - John Solheim, Chairman & CEO of PING,
is proposing that golf's rule making bodies consider a "Ball Distance
Rating" system (BDR) that would replace today's single golf ball
limit with three different ball distance limits - one that is the
same as today's standard, one that is shorter and one that is longer.
Solheim's "A Long Term Response to Distance" explains how including a
BDR system with a new "Condition of Competition" would give
professional events and golf courses an efficient way to address
future concerns about distance.
"A BDR Condition of Competition would create a simpler way to control
distance at the tour level - and keep the competitive design of the
world's great courses in play," said Solheim. "This concept addresses
the unique talents of the top 0.1% of the world's golfers without
hurting the other 99.9%." Solheim also noted that a key aspect of the
idea is to give players who would benefit from it the option of using
a longer ball, a choice many golfers may appreciate, especially when
taking on today's longer courses. "The distance rating of the ball
used would factor into handicaps, just like slope rating or choice of
tee box does today."
Solheim recently sent his BDR idea to golf's governing bodies, and
suggested it could be a positive factor in helping to sustain and
grow the game. "I appreciate the challenges faced by those who help
govern the game," said Solheim. "I am hopeful they give my idea
further consideration and use it as a starting point to address some
of the issues the game is facing. The positive impact golf has on so
many groups requires that we explore a variety of ideas to improve
the health of the sport. I hope others have suggestions to offer as
well."
John Solheim's "Long Term Response to Distance" follows:
A Long Term Response to Distance
For as long as I can remember, golf has been challenged by concerns
over driving distance. Unfortunately, over the past dozen or so
years, many actions taken in response to that challenge have often
been short sighted, costly and/or controversial - such as altering
some of golf's most revered courses and adopting restrictive golf
club rules. Now, we learn average driving distance on the PGA Tour
just had another increase - it broke through 290 yards for the first
time (and with so many dynamic young golfers working toward a Tour
card, who knows where it will go from here). So, once again we are
hearing the question: "what, if anything, should be done about it?"
With so many other challenges facing the game, we need to be sure any
"distance discussions" focus on the long term - on solutions that can
quickly and easily respond to future increases in distance (no matter
the cause); on ideas that give professional events and courses a tool
that allows each to best address the distance concerns unique to
their venue; on proposals that recognize it is far simpler to adjust
the ball to the course, than to adjust the course to the ball.
Finally, we need a response that will resolve this issue once and for
all. To get this discussion rolling, here is how I think we can do
just that:
- Replace today's single golf ball distance limit with three
different "Ball Distance Ratings" (or "BDRs") - one that is the same
as today's limit, one that is shorter and one that is longer.
- Adopt a "BDR Condition of Competition" - each event could apply the
BDR appropriate for its course design and yardage, and for the skill
level of the golfers competing at the event.
- Include BDR as a factor in calculating handicaps - just as "slope
rating" or choice of tee box does today, the BDR of the ball you use
will factor into your handicap.
BDR golf balls should have similar flight characteristics as today's
ball (trajectory, spin rates, etc) with the only variable being
distance. Some details may be challenging, but I have no doubt the
USGA and the R&A are up to the task. With distance as the only
variable, an example of what could be done would be to adopt a color
code for the several BDRs (just like we do with tee boxes), perhaps
using "gold, silver and bronze". A "silver dot" rating could apply to
balls that conform to the current distance limits, a "gold dot"
rating to balls that are longer (perhaps 30 yards longer), and a
"bronze dot" rating for balls that are shorter than today's ball
limit (again, maybe 30 yards shorter). More BDR levels could be
added, if needed, to address future increases in driving distance by
Tour professionals.
If the game adopted a "BDR Condition of Competition", I believe the
vast majority of events would choose to allow the same balls (and
ball limit) used today. Most courses hosting professional tour events
were built with, or have added, sufficient length to challenge the
world's best golfers. Perhaps a small number of tournaments, those
played at some of the game's classic courses, would find it exciting
to put the original design elements of the layout back in play by
requiring shorter rated golf balls. These events may even generate a
lot of interest, and TV viewers. A key point of this idea is that it
puts control over those decisions with the event itself. It also
gives each venue a new "long term" option for responding to future
increases in driving distance - bring in the bull dozers, or simply
adopt a new BDR.
I recognize asking tour professionals to occasionally switch to a
different rated ball creates a new challenge. However, rising above
golf's toughest obstacles is what they do best. These skilled
athletes likely realize that imposing equipment limits on tens of
millions of amateurs - a group that is critical to golf's future - is
not the best way to resolve issues unique to competitions played at
the highest levels. I think the most talented professional golfers in
the world would be willing to switch to a shorter ball once in
awhile, if that would benefit the remaining 99.9% of us.
Giving amateurs the option of playing a new, longer rated, ball is
another key aspect of this idea. Many golfers find it very difficult
to play today's longer courses. Using a longer ball should make that
experience more enjoyable. It may even bring some ex-golfers back to
the course. Perhaps this idea could even reduce the time needed to
complete some rounds, a goal shared by everyone.
There will likely be occasions when amateurs tee it up with a shorter
rated ball. Some golfers may choose to do so when playing some
classic courses, ones that cannot add yardage, in order to bring out
the competitiveness of the original design. Others may choose to do
so because it has a positive impact on their handicap. Some courses
might even recommend using a shorter rated ball. Higher handicap
players may find it easier to play alongside more experienced golfers
- from the same tees - when using different rated balls. Each of
these choices gives some control over the distance issue where it is
needed most - with the golfer and the course.
This proposal could also help the USGA and the R&A. The handicap
system may benefit from adding "ball rating" as a factor. This
solution is also consistent with the Joint Statement of Principles
announced by the USGA and R&A in 2002: it provides an immediate and
an efficient way to address future increases in distance, and it is
not bifurcation - amateurs and professionals will still play to a
ball limit, just not necessarily the same one on the same course.
Adopting a few new ball distance ratings is basically the same as
adding a few more tee boxes - and adding tee boxes is not bifurcation.
In order to fully evaluate this idea, the constructive input of golf
ball manufacturers will be needed (PING currently does not sell or
manufacture golf balls, but we did for over 20 years). I realize this
suggestion presents challenges, but a BDR system brings with it new
opportunities as well. Adding new categories of "conforming" golf
balls should lead to exciting new ways for golf ball companies to
competitively innovate, and it could increase golf ball sales. If it
were as simple to develop a club rating system that included a
similar opportunity to innovate longer drivers, I know I would
welcome it. However, if golf once again chooses to address driving
distance, it needs a practical long term solution, and I believe a
BDR system would do the job.
All of us, including those in the manufacturing community, have a
responsibility to offer new ideas and appropriately work with the
rule making bodies to help improve the game It can be done, as
demonstrated by the positive results from the November 2010 Vancouver
forum, and the solution PING provided in resolving the Eye2
controversy on the PGA Tour in early 2010. I will continue to do what
I can, and I believe others will as well. The game has seen many
positive changes over its long history, changes that appropriately
recognize the relationship between the challenge and the enjoyment of
the game at all skill levels. I believe a BDR system would provide a
way to continue do just that - for a long time to come.
John A. Solheim
Chairman and CEO of PING
--
Thanks!
John Muir
skype: jhmuir
AIM: [email protected]
810.923.7396
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